Agile Creativity: Fusing Elements of Design and Development

25 Jul Agile Creativity: Fusing Elements of Design and Development

Sometimes our creativity can come head-to-head against efficiency—it may not go well with our ability to manage our tasks and finish what needs to be accomplished. On the other hand, being efficient may not produce the brightest of ideas or results. Creativity can be a very tricky thing; but just as knowing how to manage our time, we can incorporate it into any technical process or procedure with the right mindset and perspective.

Agile Practice Over Creativity Theory

A lot of people see creativity as something innate in every person. However, the truth is, you can learn, practice, nurture and cultivate it just like any other skill.

Design is correspondent to creativity just as process is to efficiency. We don’t mean to make it sound like creativity is a tiny piece of cake. People who cash in on this foundation have probably spent years of study and practice. However, shifting times will need more than just the passion to come up with fresh innovative ideas for them to create their life-long career, and in most cases, to stand out from the rest.

The phenomenon that some intangible contribution to businesses coming out of our heads simply does not add up anymore. The fast-changing times calls for the need to recycle and innovate. This includes the revision and alteration of fresh ideas with new methods for it to serve its purpose.

Upgraded Design Methods

The implementation of design nowadays is very important. Design, by its core, is already a major part of almost everything. From the mobile applications we use everyday to the packaging of the products we consume, design is universal.

Applications such as Photoshop has made the concept of design sound so simple and learnable. This is, of course, an issue to designers who have invested blood, sweat, and tears more than money in mastering the craft.

For designers, this also presents a problem. People may question the price of the service, thinking that it is just a simple task. The list of varying views and opinions goes on—calling for a different approach.

Agile Practices

For more than a decade, software developers have followed agile practices which are immortalised in the so-called Agile Manifesto. This involves a set of values and principles which are held in a higher importance than the technical part of process. This includes priority to interactions, working software, and collaboration with customers while still placing an importance on its subordinates such as documentation, tools, processes, and plan. While the purpose of agile methodologies is directed towards developers, its application presents a superb opportunity to design teams.

Design vs Design-forward

There is a pressing need for businesses to bump up their design methods. The creation of design projects that engage users and create memorable experiences created at the core of empathy must be the new norm. Agile practices in software development will allow you to understand and consider things when bringing concepts and ideas to life. Other departments, especially in design, can take a page out of these principles.

Most design concepts have failed to truly deliver an experience that goes beyond selling. So how do big companies like Amazon and Netflix go from being just large and lucky companies to becoming design trailblazers and pioneers that started a new era?

The answer is simple: Team cooperation. These companies built their ideals from the ground up. They have truly coordinated down from the conceptualizing up until the very last step. Being able to cross-function and communicate well is simple but is difficult to sustain.

People are soon realizing the role of designers in businesses. But some have trouble understanding how crucial this job is and all the difference it can make.

Design forward teams do not just easily dive in and create. For design to truly influence, change, and elevate experience, designers will need the support of other dedicated people. These roles includes someone who would plan, coordinate, and ensure that problems are aligned and are being addressed. Furthermore, it is also important to have someone to handle legalities, budget, deadlines, and permissions. While it is also important for designers to know and understand these things, this would simply take up their time and focus from their jobs.

The Solution

This is where managers, team leaders, researchers, and other operational roles come in. The difference this time is that they will be focusing on the projects handled by the design team. Ideally, the person who should fill in this role is someone who understands design and work operations. Someone who can constantly initiate meetings and conversations. These will lead to pitching of various ideas and insights on ongoing projects.

This does not only increase productivity, but also saves time. It will address concerns and feedback on a regular basis. It ensures higher success rates and forms a good working culture. This solution also raises the value of design projects and the roles of the design team as well.

Once implemented, the rest of the company can go beyond design and truly provide an interaction and experience between businesses and customers—design that attends to multiple levels of concern, needs, and purpose. Establishing a team that goes beyond basic design function and delivery would lead to accurate project deliveries, lasting relationships, and good impression.

Taking this all in, the first thing that may pop up in your mind is: how can you achieve this? Finding someone for a specific role is hard enough. How can you fill up a whole team without breaking the bank? Direct Sourcing Solutions can support you at lesser cost and added efficiency.

Transform the way you see design. Our team of designers is backed up by people who perform other functions to ensure that they get to devote their time on project execution while staying aligned with your budget and objectives. Contact DSS today and see how we can help you!

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